Broadchurch–inspired series Gracepoint stars David Tennant of timey-wimey Doctor Who fame, reprising his role as the lead detective investigating a boy’s murder in a small seaside town, a murder that becomes a national media feeding frenzy. This time the murder happens in the northern California coastal town of Gracepoint played by four hubs in the greater Victoria area: Oak Bay Village, home to the Gracepoint Journal and most of Gracepoint’s residences, pubs, restaurants and the Crestview Inn where the lead detective stays; Brentwood Bay with its harbour; Island View Beach for the crime scene and Harvey Ridge Lookout set; and Sidney, home to the police station and morgue set.
FOX’s upcoming 10-part Fall series filmed several scenes inside the Gracepoint Police Station set last Friday and continues today, with dozens of local backgrounders as Gracepoint’s finest. Lead detective Emmett Carver (David Tennant) had no outside scenes on Friday but the popular British actor emerged unexpectedly to visit the craft tables in the afternoon sunshine.
Crew did film an exterior scene of a girl entering the Gracepoint Police station to talk to the detectives.
Uniformed police, detective and CSI backgrounders came out for a break between camera setups.
Prop Gracepoint Police vehicles parked out front.
Gracepoint crew closed the seawall in the early evening to film inside the police station set with the camera looking out to the water. Sidney locals and their dogs did not get fussed about the obstructed walkway and most stopped for a bit to ask what was filming and watch the backgrounders stroll back and forth during takes. Apparently, some Victoria residents have not been as welcoming to the film crew, especially around the houses used for the Solano and other families. Perhaps too much of the Gracepoint series has been filmed there. It will be one of the factors to consider if Gracepoint gets a second season — whether to shoot season two in greater Victoria or go elsewhere.
Sidney harbour from seawall.
Gracepoint season one is expected to film in the greater Victoria area until late May.
That’s a shame about how some Oak Bay residents are being unwelcoming about the film crew. My friend and I came up to Oak Bay for spring break and had the chance to watch some of the filming going on in the area. For the most part the crew were very polite and friendly, and even when they were a bit taciturn we followed their direction and moved to where we were told. We had the lovely opportunity to meet David Tennant when he was out and about doing some shopping, and he was just as delightful as we’d heard about him, stopping for autographs and pictures with each of us. I’m hoping they decide to film a second season in Oak Bay, as we found it to be a lovely place to visit and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
From what I heard it’s a small group who have been unwelcoming. And it’s easily fixed by choosing different houses in the second season for what likely will be a new murder investigation. Or perhaps having some kind of small studio set for house interiors like the Gracepoint Police station set that production built in Sidney.
It has been a delight to see the vans parked at Mary Winspear and the activity of the filming. They did some scenes near where I live and even though it was a bit disruptive (traffic flow) I almost felt apologetic as I could have gone the other way around. I am delighted for all the businesses and people who have experienced the extra employment. Sure hope they do come back to continue filming a second season.
It is a real shame about some of the reception they received in Oak Bay. I hope that Sidney was much more friendly.
Unfortunately , I moved here from friendly Manitoba in 2017. I was disappointed to find that the film had been shot here and Victoria in 2013.
Sidney is a beautiful town. People everywhere here are friendly and kind. As an ex Manitoban, I have always felt welcome.
I think David Tennant is an amazing actor.
I have seen most of his films and series; my favourites being Broadchurch, Des and Hamlet.
Only one of the homes is in Oak Bay, others are in adjacent neighbourhoods. The Solano house is in Fairfield, a few miles from the Oak Bay Village. The Village has been used for the Journal, the Crestview Inn and a few outdoor scenes. I’ve found Oak Bay residents to be super-excited about the filming: perhaps it’s residents in Fairfield very close to the Solano house? Just saying 🙂